Earth Day

Each year, the EEC gives out free trees to the public and visitors work with our City's GIS team to map where they will plant them–you can see an updated map from past Arbor/Earth Day events HERE.* While supplies last

10 AM – Pick up the perfect tree for your yard! Leftover trees will be planted at the EEC as part of our site management/restoration plan.

2026 Tree Species:

• American Plum
• Button Bush
• Kentucky Coffeetree
• Little Leaf Linden
• Pagoda Dogwood
• Paper Birch
• Pin Cherry
• Red Oak
• Red Osier Dogwood
• Redbud
• Spicebush
• Sweet Gum
• Thornless Honeylocust
• White Flowering Dogwood
• Winterberry

To find the best tree for you/learn more about each species, click on the tree names above.

Bring your NONINVASIVE seeds and starters to our exchange during our Earth Day event. The exchange will start at 12 PM. Remember to label your plants with as much info as you can (labels will also be provided).

Notes:

• Bring no more than 15 plants
• Please do not arrive more than a half hour early
• Recycle milk jugs and coffee cans for flower pots!
• A wagon may be helpful to transfer plants to and from the parking lot.

Check out live fish from the Elkhart River! Learn all about the health and ecosystems of our local waterways from the city's Aquatic Biologist, Daragh Deegan.

Come grab some delicious food from Rico Suave

This event will have all kinds of fun activities and resources! Also, enjoy free face painting! 

Come check out booths and activities by:

• Elkhart Soil & Water Conservation District
• Elkhart Parks Department
• Elkhart Public Library
• Elkhart Public Works
• Bushelcraft Farm
• Elkhart Conservation Club
• Hoosier Environmental Countil
• Indiana Conservation Voters
• Solar United Neighbors
• Wellspring Solar
• Hartwood Tree Care
• American Chemical Society

We will once again be hosting a free version of one of our popular workshops: Bluebird Boxes! Workshops will be held throughout the event at:

• 10:30 AM
• 11:30 AM
• 12:30 PM

Join the Invasive Species Partnership of Elkhart County for a hands-on restoration activity! This local group is helping to remove invasive honeysuckle from our forest areas to make way for native wildflowers and trees. Gloves and tools will be available--drop in to learn how to identify invasive honeysuckle (you may have some growing at home!) and help make our woodland areas a better place for visitors and wildlife!